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The people built their church in spite of opposition from the parish priest and without the knowledge of the bishop. However, the parish priest refused to say mass on Sunday. After meeting with a delegation from Aughaloora and Ardleny, Bishop James Brown visited the area and gave permission to have Mass in the church on Sundays. In 1938 the Blessed Sacrament was first reserved in the church when Fr. Hugh McEntee was parish priest. As the church was built without the support of the parish clergy a local committee owned and maintained it. Only in 1958, when major reconstruction had to be undertaken, was the church transferred by deed to Bishop Austin Quinn. In those renovations, the walls were raised, the roof and ceiling were replaced, a marble altar, communion rails, windows, confessionals, a belfry and boundary walls were added. When the plaster was removed from the interior walls, a set of crosses, in black paint, which had served as Stations of the Cross, was revealed. In 1994, Fr. Owen Collins undertook additional refurbishment. On this occasion new teak seats replaced the original deal pews and mercury vapour lighting was installed. A new colour scheme and sanctuary carpet transformed the interior of the church.
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